From Opera to Doo-Wop to Jazz, Black artists have made significant contributions to Rhode Island’s musical heritage. As part of our celebration of Black History Month, we’re introducing you to a few Rhode Islanders who paved the way. For more, check out the videos in the story below and visit the Rhode Island Music Hall of […]
Ken Abrams
Lifestyle Editor Ken Abrams writes about music, the arts and more for What'sUpNewp. He is also an Editor and Writer for Hey Rhody Media. Ken DJ's "The Kingston Coffeehouse," a roots/folk/rock radio show every Tuesday, 6-9 PM on WRIU 90.3 FM. He is a former educator in the Scituate, RI school system where he taught Social Studies for over 30 years.
He is on the board of the Rhode Island Folk Festival and Newport Live (formerly Common Fence Music), a non-profit that brings diverse musical acts to the Newport area.
Posted inArts & Culture
Theater Review: ‘Life of Pi,’ a story of hope and survival, a major hit at PPAC
Great theater can take you away for a couple of hours, immersing you in a story as your connection to the narrative deepens. Life of Pi, playing at the Providence Performing Arts Center through Sunday, February 16, does just that. It’s a powerful, captivating, and unforgettable tale, filled with fascinating characters, both human and animal. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Jane Pickens to screen 2025 Oscar SHORTS and films nominated for Best Picture beginning February 6
Jane Pickens Film and Event Center is celebrating awards season with a curated lineup of 2025 Oscar-nominated films, including this year’s acclaimed shorts program and limited screenings of top contenders. “The Oscar Shorts are always one of the most anticipated films we show in February.” says Kathy Staab, owner of Jane Pickens. “The three categories of […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up Interview: David Rosenberg shares 2025 Newport Winter Festival highlights
Start making your plans now! The 37th annual Newport Winter Festival returns on Friday, February 14, running through Sunday, February 23. Festival organizers are excited about the 2025 version of the popular festival, which includes over 100 events at locations around the city. “I’m getting such great feedback from the hotels and restaurants. A lot […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Concert Recap and Photos: Sharon Van Etten and The Attachment Theory kick off tour at Westerly’s United Theatre
Sharon Van Etten and the Attachment Theory opened their national tour at the United Theatre in Westerly on Saturday, February 1, with a high-energy, crowd-pleasing concert before a full house of loyal followers and new fans. The band was tight, with a cool vibe on display throughout the performance. Despite battling a cold, Van Etten […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up Interview: Sharon Van Etten, playing Westerly’s United Theatre Saturday, February 1
You may not have noticed, but Newport Folk Festival three-time performer Sharon Van Etten and her band The Attachment Theory have been hanging out in Westerly all week, preparing for their winter tour, which begins Saturday at the United Theatre. Tickets are available here. Known for her indie-rock vibe, Van Etten began her career as […]
Posted inFood & Drink
The Burger Bender: A culinary adventure returns to Newport February 14-23
Are you ready to embark on a gastronomic adventure like no other? The Newport Burger Bender, running from February 14-23, is an annual celebration that brings together the finest local chefs and restaurants, serving burger enthusiasts far and wide. Sponsored by Discover Newport, the competition at area restaurants is a destination event for many locals […]
Posted inHistory
What’s Up Interview: Historian Tim Walker, speaking at the Newport Historical Society February 6
The Underground Railroad is among the most remarkable escape stories in history, a fundamental lesson for all Americans. We revere figures like Harriet Tubman, who risked her repeatedly to lead the enslaved to freedom. However, a common misconception persists regarding the route used by those seeking escape – that the Underground Railroad was primarily a […]
Posted inOpinion
Ken Abrams: A call for reflection on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2025
“The time is always right to do what is right.” I entered kindergarten in the fall of 1968 at what was then the newly rechristened Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, an institution that continues to educate a diverse population in the Mount Hope neighborhood in Providence. King was assassinated the previous spring, and […]
Posted inFood & Drink
‘Six Picks’ Special: Dark beers for the dark season at local craft breweries
Although the forecast is calling for snow and bitterly cold weather next week, the days are actually getting longer. We’re halfway through meteorological winter, and dreams of spring fever are not far off. Meanwhile, beer drinkers and fans of craft brewing know that winter is a special season for dark beers that continue to evolve […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up Interview: Meet Grammy-nominated producer Nick Sarazen, building a recording studio in Belcourt of Newport
No doubt, Newport, Rhode Island, is at the center of the music world every summer when internationally heralded folk, jazz, and classical festivals take over the city. Now, one Newport-based producer wants to make it a year-round destination for A-list musicians looking to record their latest hit. Nick Sarazen is committed to bringing international artists […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Flashback: Meet fans who were there when Bob Dylan went electric at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival
With the film “A Complete Unknown” creating a lot of interest in Bob Dylan and the Newport Folk Festival where he made history in 1965, we thought it was time to hear from some local experts. We spoke to several music fans who were there on that fateful day 60 years ago when one of […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Movie Review: New Bob Dylan biopic ‘A Complete Unknown’ is a complete hit
“People make up their past, they remember what they want, they forget the rest.” So says Timothée Chalamet, who plays Bob Dylan in the brilliant new film, A Complete Unknown, in a tense confrontation with Elle Fanning, who plays Sylvie Russo, a character based on Dylan’s on-and-off NYC girlfriend Suze Rotolo, as she prods him […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up in Music this season: We preview the statewide winter concert scene
Things aren’t slowing down at all on the local music scene, with a wide variety of concerts scheduled over the next three months ranging from indie-rock to classical. Here’s a statewide rundown of some notable shows coming your way over this winter season. Ragged Island Brewing brings back the popular Barn Sessions with shows highlighting […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Meet cast members of HAMILTON, playing PPAC through December 22
The blockbuster musical Hamilton has returned to the Providence Performing Arts Center, and by all accounts, the show is as strong as ever. The Broadway spectacle, now on its third run in Providence, plays through Sunday, December 22. Very few tickets remain – Click here for details. For those unfamiliar with the groundbreaking musical, here’s […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Concert Recap and Photos: Nefesh Mountain brings ‘Love and Light’ to Greenvale Vineyards
Portsmouth’s Greenvale Vineyards hosted a special night of music on Friday, December 13, when New Jersey’s Nefesh Mountain took the stage in a Newport Live show below a sell-out crowd. Centered around the duo of Doni Zasloff and Eric Lindberg, Jewish Americans who blend traditional Hebrew language music into Americana themes, the band sounds straight […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Concert Recap and Photos: The Smithereens rock out at the Greenwich Odeum
A warm crowd greeted Newport native John Cowsill, who joined New Jersey rockers The Smithereens at a high-energy show on Thursday, December 12, at the Greenwich Odeum in East Greenwich, RI. The band that came together in the early 1970s, but really broke out in the 1980s, delivered a strong performance, with Cowsill impressive singing […]
Posted inFood & Drink
RI craft brewery holiday ales are out – Narragansett’s Bing Crosby Winter Warmer leads the way
Cold temps got you down? Well, it’s the time of the year to enjoy a rich, delicious winter holiday ale at a local craft brewery. Several breweries around the state are serving up some tasty brews, mostly limited annual runs, so get there soon! Holiday ales tend to be on the sweet side, and many […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up Interview: Catching Up with John Cowsill, playing the Greenwich Odeum with The Smithereens Thursday, Dec. 12
Newport’s own John Cowsill will be in town this week, singing lead in a concert with New Jersey rockers The Smithereens. The band returns to the Greenwich Odeum on Thursday, December 12, with founding members Jim Babjak (guitar), Dennis Diken (drums), and Mike Mesaros (bass), with Cowsill joining the band on the East Greenwich stage. […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Concert Photos: Mannheim Steamroller brings holiday spirit to PPAC
A holiday tradition returned to Providence on Friday, December 6, when Mannheim Steamroller stopped by the Providence Performing Arts Center. The award-winning 15-piece ensemble presented their Christmas show, featuring popular hits along with dazzling effects, before a near-sell-out crowd. Percussionist/composer Chip Davis founded the American neoclassical collaborative in 1974. They’re known for blending classical music […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up Interview: Nefesh Mountain, playing Newport Live show at Greenvale Vineyards December 13
You may not have heard of the band, but I assure you, you’ll love their sound! A one-of-a-kind concert promises to bring good vibes to Newport this holiday season when Nefesh Mountain, a New Jersey-based Americana band, stops by Greenvale Vineyards for a show on Friday, December 13 as part of their “Love and Light” […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up Interview: Jersey rock legend Southside Johnny, playing Park Theatre Saturday, December 7
Pay attention rock fans, get ready to be “havin’ a party” this weekend in Cranston with Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes. The legendary band will bring their high-energy show to the Park Theatre on Saturday, December 7. The band from the Jersey shore, which got its start in the dive bars and beach clubs […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up Interview: Newport native Nora Eschenheimer, starring in Trinity’s ‘A Christmas Carol’
NOTE: The 2024 production of Trinity Rep’s A Christmas Carol at the Providence Performing Arts Center runs through December 4, and again from December 26-29. The show is on hiatus from December 5-25 when the theater hosts HAMILTON. Click here for details. A Rhode Island tradition for theater lovers is back – Trinity Rep’s production […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up Interview: Fuzek-Rossoni, playing reunion show Saturday, Nov. 30 at Stone Soup Coffeehouse
This Saturday night, a legendary Rhode Island duo, Fuzek-Rossoni, will play a special 35th-anniversary reunion concert at Stone Soup Coffeehouse in Providence. Known for their tight harmonies and acoustic blends, Fuzek-Rossoni were a leading musical force in the 1990s, earning multiple awards in The Providence Phoenix Best Music Poll. John Fuzek and Mary Ann Rossoni […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up Interview: Comedian Doreen Collins of ‘Aging Disgracefully,’ playing Newport Playhouse Saturday, November 23
Getting old is no ride in the park. Well, I guess it can be… as long as somebody else is doing the driving. (Ba dum ching… my apologies to real comedians.) Old age is the theme of “Aging Disgracefully,” a comedy show from well-known RI-based comics Doreen Collins and Charlie Hall. You can catch the […]